cirrohis

[teacherlinda]

My husband is 56 years old with what looks to be cirrohis.  He has never been a heavy drinker.  He only drank when we would go out to dinner once or twice a month and then only had one drink.  We have been married for 35 years so I know this is a life long pattern.  I am worried about hepatitus (hepatitis).  His blood tests always come back with no hepatitus (hepatitis) virus, but how did he get cirrohis?  My worry is that my daughter-in-law is pregnant and we have a 4 year old grandson that visits all the time.  Is there any danger of infection to either of them?  
My husband is on heavy doses of diaretics and still has to go in every two to three weeks for paracentisis.  They cannot do a biopsy until his clotting factors are better.  Should the entire family be tested for hepatitus (hepatitis), or should we wait until after the biopsy (and hopefully have a reason for this terrible disease)?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Cirrhosis can be caused by alcohol by itself.  It can only be suggested by imaging studies.  To document whether true cirrhosis is present, one would need a liver biopsy.

Hepatitis is only one cause of cirrhosis.  Other possible causes would include more specialized diseases like primary sclerosing cholangitis, medications, autoimmune hepatitis, or alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency.  

All of these causes can be discussed in conjunction with your GI specialist.  

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b